Newcastle United came up at the tail end of Sunday’s game pulling off a much-needed win against Wolves on March 12, as the contest came to a close with a 2-1 scoreline.
With the hype surrounding the potential for a win and a climb up the Premier League table, the Magpies rose to the occasion behind their young attacking core and survived a late push from Wolves.
In the first half of play at St. James Park, the Newcastle faithful who crowded the stadium kept the team pushing and chugging forward as every bit and piece of momentum was in their favor.
They had multiple opportunities to find the opening score before forward Alexander Isak found a ball coming that he rocketed his head, soaring into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
That goal would come in the 26th minute and just two minutes later Newcastle found themselves with an opportunity to extend their lead. Winger Allan Saint-Maximin found Isak who passed the ball across the face of the goal before midfielder Joe Willock had his shot deflected just barely.
Just nine minutes after the first goal, another opportunity would come again as a cross inside of the box from defender Dan Burn found the head of star Bruno Guimaraes. Guimaraes’ header sailed high and hit the crossbar, keeping the score at 1-0.
At halftime, the Magpies were riding high off of first-half success but needed to remain confident and calm in half number two.
To start the second half, the momentum seemed off as both teams were unable to establish much and the ball stayed in the midfield.
Eventually, an awkward slip from captain Kieran Trippier would leave the goal wide open and Hwang Hee-chan would blast the ball into the back of the net for the tieing goal.
With such inconsistent play between both parties in half number two, it appeared as though the game would end with a point going to either side.
But, that would not be the case as fresh legs were put onto the field by manager Eddie Howe and winger Miguel Almiron slotted one past the goalkeeper for the winning goal in the 79th minute.
Newcastle United finished the contest shooting the ball 19 times, with eight going on target and two finding their way into the back of the net. While they lost the possession battle, 58% to 42%, the team made use of their opportunities with the ball at their feet.
Earlier this week Newcastle Toons released their Player to Watch, Alexander Isak, who shined and showed out in the win vs. Wolves.
In just his sixth start in the Premier League for Newcastle United, he scored a goal and won seven one-on-one challenges, helping lead the way for the Magpies.
While he was subbed off in the second half for forward Callum Wilson, he showed that when given the opportunity to prove himself in the starting lineup, he can show up and show out.
That goal marked the fourth for him on the season through nine competitions.
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With the win, Newcastle improves to 11-11-3 on the season, with 44 league points that places them fifth in the league table.
Their next contest comes up against Nottm Forest on Friday, March 17, at 9 p.m. GMT